DVRPC is counting a region in motion. As leaders in travel monitoring, we provide access to thousands of traffic counts throughout the region. Traffic count data on this website is provided as a public service.
Travel Monitoring counts are used to develop policies, regulations, and design decisions about transportation infrastructure throughout the region.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Counts
DVRPC counts bicyclists and pedestrians because count data helps us understand and plan for the role bicyclists and pedestrians play in our transportation network. Similar to how planners use vehicular traffic counts to analyze roadway facilities, our bicycle and pedestrian counting program allows planners to measure existing levels of bicycling and walking, monitor travel trends, plan for new or improved facilities and measure outcomes of bicycle and pedestrian related projects.
Vehicle Counts
Why Do We Count?
The Office of Travel Monitoring performs vehicle counts for one of several reasons:
- PennDOT contracts with DVRPC to perform annual counts in PennDOT’s District 6, consisting of upwards of 1500 counts;
- project counts for District 6 that are not part of the annual PennDOT request;
- counts to help calibrate and maintain the travel demand model and for a 5 year travel trends report;
- project counts for DVRPC project managers as they are needed.
Type of Counts
Volume
Total volume on a segment of roadway in either an hourly or 15 minute interval.
Class
A count on a segment of roadway that differentiates between the different types of vehicles that have passed over the counter tubes. A completed count will have all 13 FHWA (Federal Highway Administration) classifications. These classifications range from motorcycle to segmented tractor trailer.
Speed
Using ATR the approximate speed of passing vehicles can be determined, with an average speed being calculated.
Manual Class
A class count that is conducted on site for a road segment during a 6 hour period either 6 am to noon or noon to 6 pm. This classification uses a 16 vehicle type identification schema provided by PennDOT.
8 Day HPMS Sample
An 8 day count at DOT specified locations to collect vehicle volume samples for HPMS reporting.
Turning Movement
A count of vehicles making all the movements, or turns, in and through an intersection. This count is conducted either manually at the intersection or video recorded and transcribed at a later time.
Additional Definitions
Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT)
An estimate of all the traffic during a 24-hour period at the location indicated for the year in which it was collected.
News
COVID-19 Travel Trends
New Travel Trends Report Shows Increased Travel Halted by COVID-19 Pandemic